Truth

        "How do you handle truth and where is it? How many ideas and facts can be agreed upon as truthful? It can get very complicated at times. Something appears to be true, trust is put into it, and then perhaps something changes in the equation that makes you question the fullness of the truth. It gets more involved when the next question is "How do you handle someone else's truth?" If something is real to a person and is believed without question, then that is that person's truth. Trying to change it would involve a belief system changing. That is not an easy thing to accomplish.

        There are those who will listen openly to differences expressed and who can actually shift and contemplate and leave an opening for new information or new insight. It is then up to the individual to decide if the new equation should be included as a passing thought or an addition to include until other equations enter. We are so adamant attimes. We insist that our view is the only view, because, in truth, itis the only view we see. You have heard, perhaps, the example of different people climbing a mountain and each seeing a different view depending on the height they attain and the area they are viewing, but how many think of the inner workings of the mountain?

        Truth is like a child's building blocks. It can be built very carefully, but sometimes, it falls down and must be reconstructed. Sometimes what is built is not something which is appealing to look at or comfortable to live with, but nevertheless, it is as it is at a particular time. With experience in life, we obviously do not see the world as we did as a child or as a teenager or a young adult. Layers upon layers of understanding help us to broaden our view. There are those who vary little in their outlook or their approach to life, and as they mature, they simply accept the belief systems they have been surrounded with from their family and their environment. This is not tosay that is not a good thing, that is if it's a good system, but sometimes one's environment creates building blocks that build false ideas. These ideas affect the individual's mental and emotional way of dealing with the experiences that life hands out.

        When we are threatened by another's truth, we become defensive. We may choose to fight or choose to ignore because there may be a wide gap between one's belief system and another. Parents sometimes missopportunities to learn from their children because the belief is that the truth of something must come from the parent and be handed to the child. Many times, the child, having his/her own thoughts, can teach ifa parent is willing to accept being on the receiving end.

        Truth should be looked at from different viewpoints. This doesn't mean acceptingis necessary, but being willing to listen and respect another's ideas can be a teaching in itself. Truth is sometimes elusive. It has to besearched for and can be found in the most unexpected ways and at the most unexpected times. When it appears, do not be too quick to turnaway because it is new or unfamiliar. Try it on. See what part, if any, fits. Take only that which is right for you and bring it in, weave it together with your present views. Let it have time to develop. Truth is not gained overnight though there are wonderful insights that appear quickly. It is an expansion of the spirit to be able to receive other's truth by listening or respecting. If it is not right for you,then let it stay with the other individual. Arguing is like going in a circle, but listening and discussing can be enlightening. Perhaps you, as an individual, will be a truth without saying a word."